[07:15am] Quaker: -
[07:15am] Quaker: -
[07:15am] Quaker: -
[07:15am] Quaker: -
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[07:15am] Quaker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHlHbRE4upU
[07:19am] Quaker: Surrounded by the sounds of ocean waves rolling against the shore, a wooden roller coaster clattering empty along its tracks, and the soft blanket hum of carnival music, the three Barons have been given time to mull over the strange offer the Princess La Jolla has made them. She insisted that they enjoy themselves for the night while they think about it, so they’ve also been given the run of the carnival grounds at Belmont Park, which has been both kept open and cleared out of its normal late-night crowds. Sleepy looking employees check their phones, pinch their cheeks, and play with stuffed prizes in order to keep awake.
[07:20am] Quaker: The Princess and Eva have joined your little party, though they keep a respectful distance to let you talk amongst yourselves. Currently, they’re throwing rings at the necks of bottles at a stall.
[07:21am] Quaker: If any of this seemed strange….well, things are simpler when you own the place, Eva explained on the way down.
[07:22am] VoxPVoxD: This is surreal.
[07:22am] banana: Can we.. ride the rollercoaster?
[07:22am] banana: You know, for privacy.
[07:24am] Quaker: It depends. Is KJ at least 4’11’’? That’s how tall you must be for this ride.
[07:24am] Crion|: Good lord.
[07:27am] banana: Please, she's easily five foot three.
[07:27am] banana: Two at minimum. "Okay, so.. okay."
[07:27am] banana: "Who just asks people they've barely met, want to do a cool heist and start a new war?"
[07:30am] Crion|: Cav: "Someone who wants a patsy to take the fall...or, someone so totally removed from mortal political concerns that they skip a couple steps in their recruitment process, since if they get it wrong they're so personally potent they can just kill you and start over."
[07:31am] VoxPVoxD: Still, waste not want not. Wilson got some cotton candy. "She's an odd duck, but she's a sweetheart. There's a lot of those in these parts."
[07:32am] Crion|: He shrugs. "Or someone who's being 100% forthright. West coast Invictus politics are bizarre."
[07:32am] Crion|: "Sweetheart" might not be the word Cav would choose for the woman trying to kick off a holy war in a direction she prefers.
[07:33am] banana: KJ: "Could also have recognised us as people who could, frankly, get it done."
[07:33am] banana: "But like. Under what circumstances would we?"
[07:34am] VoxPVoxD: He's not even eating the cotton candy. It just seemed like something to have. "If we saw the world the way she did, we'd all have already said yes."
[07:37am] banana: KJ looks wistfully at the little wooden cart, rattling around in the dark. "Right. The idea that it'd be better for the Carmelites if they had more guns and were pissed off about being recently evicted.."
[07:37am] banana: "Not that it's great for the local ones to be, instead, dead."
[07:37am] Crion|: Cav: "I am not particularly pleased about that."
[07:40am] banana: KJ: "Eeaah. What if we warn the Court instead? Our Court. Get an urgent message sent, don't go ahead with the executions, fuck you, yours politely, the.. Prince who isn't here. Shit."
[07:40am] banana: Without Bailey around, who in Los Angeles would have the will and the authority to make that kind of statement? There's nobody, is there.
[07:41am] Crion|: Nobody who would intervene on behalf of the Carmelites, at least.
[07:42am] Crion|: Bren might -- might -- have the personal political sway, but he's also been a bit absent recently...and his interest would be in seeing the Carmelites destroyed.
[07:43am] Crion|: But frankly, Cav suspects the powers that be in San Diego would look extremely unkindly on anyone from Los Angeles attempting to interfere with a San Diego pogrom as if it were their territory.
[07:43am] banana: Which is exactly what we're being asked to do.
[07:43am] VoxPVoxD: 'Who in Los Angeles has the will and the authority to do anything without Bailey around' is its own weird, thorny question even without the heist. "I wonder how many scripts you could get out of things the Princess does just because."
[07:44am] banana: "Yeah, this park answers some questions by itself!"
[07:45am] Crion|: We're being asked to rob them sneakily. This is less insulting than what KJ is proposing, because it inherently shows we know we're in the wrong.
[07:49am] Quaker: As the three Barons wander through the stalls and rides, all three notice them eventually. The tall figures, so tall that Cav thought they must be wearing stilts, dressed in black robes. In the night’s coastal mist, their white porcelain masks make them look even more ghostly. The Nosferatu stand far away, but they can be seen, peering through the latticed supports of roller coasters, or half-hidden behind canvas walls.
[07:52am] banana: KJ: "Enough of that. I'm going to ask them what's up."
[07:52am] VoxPVoxD: Something about the sight of them in the mist and their masks strikes Wilson very deeply. He doubles back to the Princess. "Should we be talking about this with those guys watching us?"
[07:53am] Crion|: Oh, hello there.
[07:53am] Crion|: How do they do that?
[07:54am] Quaker: The Princess is watching Eva attempt to throw a mini-basketball through a tiny basket. “You will be working with them if you accept the offer. I think that they are trying to see how you move and speak.”
[07:55am] banana: KJ: "So- fitfully, and with sudden decision."
[08:00am] banana: Which is the same way she moves into shadow, or into never having been present. Likely very familiar to the watching figures. But will they notice a woman approach, hands in her pockets, mind screaming lullabies?
[08:03am] Crion|: Cav blinks and looks around. Wilson is still here at least, right?
[08:03am] Quaker: This one doesn’t. As she closes on it, the mask remains fixed forward, watching Wilson and Cav. When she gets closer, KJ can see that the mask she thought was featureless is actually carefully and subtly decorated with shallow carvings. A single small blue gem hangs under its right eye.
[08:04am] VoxPVoxD: Over talking to the Princess. "Who's their leader?"
[08:05am] banana: Far faster than a mortal can move, KJ's outside of the park's public areas, under the canvas by the gem-masked pillar of a.. man? That or monster, depending on the mask.
[08:05am] banana: "Hey. You can watch, but what's your angle?"
[08:05am] Crion|: Being the only one without Obfuscate can be incredibly jarring from time to time.
[08:06am] banana: Says the guy whose claws aren't visible.
[08:08am] Quaker: La Jolla: “A man named Ferdinand. I don’t think he’ll appear here.”
[08:11am] Quaker: The robed figure doesn’t start. It does turn to look down at KJ in a smooth motion, though. “Oh…hello.” Its (his?) voice is suprisingly high-pitched and boyish. “…I guess I’m watching you to see what you’re like.”
[08:14am] Crion|: Cav's main concern is this: how does performing this heist, even to exact specification and plan, stop the San Diego court from carrying out its pogrom anyway?
[08:15am] banana: KJ: "Sure. Here's what I'm like: I want to understand things. Would you please tell me why you and your cohort want to help get these papers?"
[08:16am] Crion|: He'll walk over and raise this question to the Princess directly.
[08:16am] banana: It might be more accurate to say that KJ wants to know things; she'll provide the understanding herself. But people don't react as well to that.
[08:17am] VoxPVoxD: Wonder why.
[08:18am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson: "Would Ferdinand be involved in this? If we got caught, who besides us would get caught up?"
[08:19am] Quaker: The robed figure inclines its head in a nod. “If we don’t, the lords and the priests will come for us and we won’t be able to stop them from killing our friends. But if we take those papers from the Great Prince, some of us can escape from this place.” He pauses. “Are you the spy?”
[08:21am] Quaker: La Jolla: “You will be given a duplicate set of papers. Forgeries, identical in every way except for the blood magic proving their authenticity. But the guards will not notice they have been replaced until it is too late. The ideal result is that no one notices the real papers are missing until we have moved those people who are in danger out of the city. Then, when they move, their hand will grasp at empty air.”
[08:23am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson: "That could start a war."
[08:23am] Quaker: “Ferdinand will only be involved in an indirect sense. You will see him at the gathering. Members of his clan will be more intimately involved. If you get caught, then as my guests, your capture and imprisonment will be my responsibility.”
[08:23am] banana: KJ: "So it's you and yours. Fine. Please forgive the blunt question, but- why should we help you when it risks restarting a war which will kill even more people?"
[08:28am] Quaker: La Jolla puts down the dart she was about to throw at a wall of balloons. “The war is ongoing. It may make things more uncomfortable between my court and yours, yes. But it will continue whether you choose to involve yourself or not, or whether your court sides with one side or the other.”
[08:29am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson: "But then why should we, specifically, intervene?"
[08:30am] Quaker: The robed figure stands, unsure. “The Princess…she has family where you come from, doesn’t she? Someone told me they’re very powerful. Wouldn’t they owe you a favor?” It stands silently. Then: “Please, help us. They’ll kill so many of us.”
[08:31am] Quaker: La Jolla: “Are you asking about your reward, or your court’s?”
[08:32am] Crion|: "It's not particularly about reward," says Cav. "At least not for me."
[08:32am] Crion|: "It's about motive."
[08:33am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson: "It's not the reward, it's the punishment."
[08:39am] banana: KJ: "Don't worry, it's not on you personally to convince me. That'd be pretty unfair!" Although some people might say that when you stand around gazing eerily at people it's gonna invite deep, upsetting questions.
[08:39am] Quaker: The Princess shifts her coat with a shrug of her shoulders. “Things are accelerating in San Diego. Soon there will not be any disguising the irreconcilable contradictions between its various factions. There is no historical reason why Iago Morales must remain Grand Prince for eternity. As things shift and change, everyone must choose who they would like to see in power, and act on that preference. As for your punishment…The greatest consequences would not fall on you, if you fail. Unless you fail so objectly you’re killed outright by the guards in the attempt.”
[08:39am] Quaker: abjectly*
[08:39am] banana: KJ stands with her shoulders hunched a little, watching the people out in the open alongside the watcher who's watching her.
[08:40am] Quaker: The robed figure watches with her. “We’re supposed to impersonate you while you work. So that no one notices you’re missing from the party.”
[08:41am] Crion|: Interesting.
[08:42am] banana: KJ: "That's actually a little worrying. As a group, we bank on inimitability."
[08:42am] banana: "So what happens if you and fifty other Kindred of San Diego just.. get together tonight or tomorrow or the night after and all leave town in a convoy? Are they really that prepared and that ready to act in the open?"
[08:45am] hrolf_mac joined the chat room.
[08:46am] Quaker: The robed figure: “Um…they watch the roads leading out of here. And…I don’t think your Court would like that, us just arriving all at once in the open. I think that this way, we’ll stay hidden for a while. I think that we have friends up north who will hide us from everyone.”
[08:47am] Crion|: Cav's found his motive: 50 new Carmelites means the balance of power swings heavily in LA...and Cav's already allies, for better or worse, with the Carmelites.
[08:47am] Crion|: At the very least, the secret police won't be pleased.
[08:48am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson: "Right, but who do they befall?"
[08:49am] banana: KJ: "They wouldn't like it, but neither Laguna Beach nor the Orange Parish would stop you from entering. Please keep it in mind in case you run out of options."
[08:50am] Quaker: La Jolla: “I will face the greatest consequences. And the people who serve my household. As soon as the charade ends, and I’ve returned you safely to your city without carrying out my duty of keeping you imprisoned.” She smiles. “Which is why you should succeed.”
[08:51am] Crion|: Cav will probably have some questions to answer either way.
[08:51am] Quaker: “Of course, there is no telling who this might eventually touch. But I do not plan on washing my hands of anyone if things go less than well.”
[08:52am] Crion|: Cav: "...I'm in."
[08:53am] Crion|: "I can't speak for anyone but myself, however."
[08:54am] banana: KJ: "Looks like I'd better intervene. Thanks and good luck!" She leaves the bleachers, possibly striding.
[08:55am] Quaker: “Wait!” The robed figure calls after her.
[08:56am] banana: "Yeah?" KJ turns, smiling, even though he called her a spy.
[08:58am] Quaker: It’s as if the shadow of something overhead passes over the figure, and her mind leaves him for a second to try and see it. When she looks back, another KJ is there, standing by the metal supports. “See?” His voice is still that of a boy’s.
[09:01am] Quaker: The Princess smiles. “Good. I’ll have the plans sent to your room.”
[09:03am] banana: KJ: "Don't quit your night job."
[09:04am] Quaker: The robed figure re-appears. “Okay.”
[09:04am] banana: She hurries over to where Cavanaugh's found a way to fit this into the kind of politics he prefers. Does Wilson still seem chary of the expertly-downplayed downside?
[09:05am] Quaker: Princess La Jolla turns to Wilson. “Baron Frost, walk with me for a moment. I have an additional incentive that I think you might be interested in.”
[09:05am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson still doesn't like this. He will follow the Princess, though.
[09:06am] banana: To Cav (and Eve, presumably): "Why?"
[09:06am] Quaker: She walks in silence for a while, leading him far down the beach. The last open stall on the boardwalk is soon left behind, and Wilson finds himself on an unlit stretch of wooden boards overlooking the sand.
[09:07am] Crion|: To KJ: "Why what?"
[09:07am] Crion|: "Why am I in?"
[09:08am] Crion|: "Because doing so is convenient for me politically, strengthens my allies and weakens the position of my adversaries."
[09:10am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson follows silently. This is a very moody place.
[09:11am] banana: KJ: "Is that an excuse? Fifty people purged, the kind of bloody massacre only people like us do these days in America. Are you sure you aren't ignoring the politics for some vestigial conscience?"
[09:13am] Quaker: The Princess stops in front of a darkened candy shop and leans against the railing. “I have to ask: why are you so active, recently? I admit that my concerns down here mean that my impressions of situations up north lag behind a bit, but it was my understanding that you had withdrawn from most things.”
[09:14am] Crion|: Cav: "Are you sure that you care?"
[09:15am] Crion|: "Fifty Carmelites alive in LA rather than dead in San Diego is a win for me, both morally and politically."
[09:16am] banana: KJ, emphatically: "Yes. This isn't worth it if we aren't doing it for the right reasons."
[09:16am] Quaker: KJ and Cav’s phones both buzz. There’s an email from Bryan Rush for Cav…and a text message from Morton Moreno Munoz for KJ. When did he get her number?
[09:17am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson glances through the shop windows, half-expecting to see a masked face behind the glass. "You're right, I don't get out much. But I do always go where I'm told, and I've been told to go to more places recently. I don't know why, really. Those decisions happen over my head."
[09:17am] VoxPVoxD: This isn't the whole truth, but it is true, and it'll do for now.
[09:17am] banana: "There's an off chance that we fail and get wrecked. Decent risk that La Jolla is playing us in the first place. And a damn good chance that we do this, get home, start or don't start a war and then two-to-three of us get purged by our own people for doing this insane thing."
[09:17am] Crion|: Cav: "How do you know?"
[09:18am] Crion|: The baron crosses his arms. "Why are you so insistent this is going to start a war?"
[09:19am] banana: "Because doing so is convenient for Murray politically, strengthens her allies and weakens the position of her adversaries."
[09:19am] banana: KJ: "Who we'd be, now."
[09:19am] Crion|: "Murray?"
[09:20am] banana: "You must be aware that the Baron of Palos Verdes is the one who keeps eyes on dangerous young Invictus to file them away as naughty or nice."
[09:21am] Crion|: His eyes narrow. "Not all of them, Baron Anaheim."
[09:21am] Quaker: The Princess looks at Wilson. “I don’t mean to make you remember something unpleasant. But I know you were more active during the 1970s.”
[09:22am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson: "Yeah."
[09:23am] banana: KJ: "I'm not doing this unless we're doing it to stop dozens of.. naive believers in highly specific harmless religious dogma from getting murderd by dozens of vicious believers in slightly different dogma. I know Helena Murray is watching me; she told me so."
[09:24am] Crion|: Cav: "And who are you watching?"
[09:25am] Quaker: La Jolla shivers. “I heard how that ended, too.” She crosses her arm on the wood rail. “A few years later, I heard something else. I don’t think you have.”
[09:26am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson: "Okay."
[09:26am] banana: KJ: "My words, Cav."
[09:26am] banana: KJ: "You have to admit- if we do this- we're stupid for doing it."
[09:27am] Crion|: A bit more lightly: "Oh, absolutely. Freely admitted; openly confessed-to."
[09:28am] banana: KJ slumps a little. "Okay."
[09:29am] banana: "I couldn't bring myself to take this risk if it was just more Invictus crap. I'll admit that right now but never again, okay?"
[09:29am] Crion|: Cav grins. "Works for me. Let's go give Wilson the good news, then do something very stupid to save a whole bunch of lives."
[09:34am] Quaker: La Jolla: “My sisters and I still talk. It’s good for us. Sometimes we let secrets slip out, sometimes not by mistake. It’s a way of unburdening yourself. My middle sister told me something once. A noble lady was discovered to be aiding the Carthian movement in Los Angeles. She was accordingly sentenced to death. The sentence was carried out. That’s the part that you’ve heard. What I heard, is that the evidence was never genuine. And that the sentence was only carried out on a convincing fake. And that only a few people knew that part. The Prince. My sister. The executioner. The noble lady. And the person the noble lady worked for. The lady’s childe, who discovered and reported the evidence, never knew.”
[09:35am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson: "What."
[09:39am] Quaker: The Princess: “I don’t know where the noble lady went afterwards. But I have a name for the one who put all that in motion. I’ll give it to you, if you help me. As well as the support of my family in whatever struggle you encounter back home. But that was already on the table.”
[09:43am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson's jaw works silently.
[09:44am] VoxPVoxD: "I don't want to know."
[09:45am] Quaker: The Princess looks surprised. “Why?”
[09:47am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson: "Respectfully, Your Highness, you don't need to convince me. I'm one of three. If you got them, you got me too. Like a sale at the grocer."
[09:48am] VoxPVoxD: "Let's get back under the lamps. People will think we're conspiring."
[09:51am] banana: KJ, gloomily: "Here they come now."
[09:51am] banana: "I can still see Wilson, so it must have gone well-asterisk."
[09:51am] Quaker: Elena considers Wilson for a while. “Okay.” She starts to walk back. “I have never liked the feeling of being used by others. I try to keep my dealings straightforward.” A few stalls pass by. “I apologize for dangling it in front of you. If you’d ever like to know, ask sometime and I will answer.”
[09:52am] Crion|: Cav: "Oh, don't sound so dour."
[09:52am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson, whose throat is closed off, just nods.
[09:52am] Crion|: "Once we're actually there, stealing things, you're going to be having fun."
[09:54am] Quaker: The Princess and the Baron get back to the others.
[09:55am] banana: "That's quite an accusation," she says, visibly enjoying going fast quietly.
[09:55am] Crion|: Cav: "Nothing I can prove in court."
[09:55am] Crion|: "If we're lucky."
[09:55am] Crion|: "And good."
[09:56am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson: "So what's the verdict? Are you two in?"
[09:56am] banana: KJ: "Yes, yes. Ugh."
[09:56am] Crion|: Cav: "Yup."
[09:56am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson: "And there it is."
[09:57am] Crion|: Cav discreetly checks his phone.
[09:57am] banana: Good idea. KJ checks her visible phone- there was a message earlier, right.
[10:01am] banana: "We'll have to do this right, though. The impersonators are skilled but they won't hold up a conversation- which event were we thinking of using? We'd better prearrange with Gannon to have some excuse to be separate and uncommunicative."
[10:03am] Crion|: Cav: "Or we may want me to stay and work the crowd while you two do the heisting. My skillset is uh, mostly about being seen and heard."
[10:04am] Quaker: Subject Line: Irregular Inquiry Reported. Mr Cavanaugh — I just received the routine monthly report from the Judex’s office. Most of it is pretty boring, to be truthful, so few pay close attention. Included in one of the appendices is a record of all public records access requests made in the Court. I was going over the records to confirm that your heir designation was up to date and saw something strange. The office of Baron Bill Burne inquired about the heir of every noble in the Court at the same time. I thought it was strange, and knew you have had past unpleasant dealings with the Baron, so I’ve made a note of it and am passing the information on to you. Yours Respectfully, [etc.]”
[10:05am] Crion|: Fucking hell.
[10:06am] Quaker: KJ has multiple texts from the same number. “GOOD EVENING BARON THIS IS MORTON MORENO MUNOZ WE HAVE MET SEVERAL TIMES DO YOU REMEMBER THE PARTY THROWN BY BARON GANNON LAST SPRING I WAS IN ATTENDANCE YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH MY WORK AS COURT HARPY THOUGH I OF COURSE FIND THE TERM QUITE” the text ends.
[10:07am] Crion|: He pops open his e-mail app. <Bryan-- You were right to inform me. Please let me know when anything else involving Burne crosses our desk. I will want to meet with you and Brian either tonight or early next evening re: working strategy for monitoring and response. --CC>
[10:07am] banana: That gets a blink.
[10:08am] Crion|: Pause.
[10:09am] Crion|: <Also, thank you for your discernment and attention to detail. It is very appreciated. --CC>
[10:10am] Quaker: The second one continues: “QUITE IN BAD TASTE I STRIVE TO UPHOLD ITS NOBLE FUNCTION OF PASSING ON USEFUL SOCIAL INFORMATION TO WORTHY NOBLES TO BETTER SERVE THE GREATER HARMONY OF SOCIETY. I HOPE YOU DO NOT FIND IT TOO FORWARD THAT I CONSIDER YOU WORTHY OF MY PURELY FRIENDLY ATTENTION AND GOODWILL. IN ANY CASE I HEARD YOUR NAME MENTIONED IN PASSING BY THE JUDEX SUSAIN RAINEY HAVE YOU MADE HER ACQUAINTANCE SHE IS QUITE PLEASANT COMPANY IN ANY CASE SHE FOUND IT ODD THAT YOUR OFFICIAL LISTED DUTY HAD BEEN ALTERED WITH LITTLE NOTICE SPECIFICALLY YOU ARE NO LONGER LISTED AS WORKING FOR BARON MURRAY.”
[10:13am] Quaker: “I AM OF COURSE AWARE OF THE BARON’S REPUTATION AS SOMEONE INVOLVED WITH SENSITIVE WORK AND HAVE NO INTENTION OF SPREADING THIS INFORMATION FURTHER BUT THINKING FURTHER ON THE SUBJECT I THOUGHT IT MAY PREFIGURE SOMETHING YOU MAY NOT BE AWARE OF AND SO WISHED TO MAKE YOU AWARE. I HOPE YOU ARE IN GOOD HEALTH AND MOOD. RESPECTFULLY MORTON MORENO MUNOZ ILLUSTRATOR FOR THE PRINCE.”
[10:13am] banana: KJ: "Yeah, that could be how we.. excuse me, this is actually- just a minute."
[10:14am] Quaker: “POST SCRIPT ADDITIONALLY AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE PLEASE VISIT MY ESTATE I HAVE ALSO HEARD OF YOUR INTEREST IN SHALL WE SAY THE STRANGER PATHS OF OUR SHARED LIFE STRIKE THAT NO NEED TO BE COY THE OCCULT AND I HAVE A BLEND OF A FAVOR TO ASK AND AN OFFER TO MAKE I HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON BEST WISHES ONCE MORE.”
[10:16am] Crion|: Cav: "Yeah, just a moment please."
[10:16am] Quaker: Elena and Eva wait patiently while phones are consulted.
[10:17am] Crion|: He frowns. "Something odd's happening involving our Judex."
[10:17am] Crion|: "And with both us and the Prince out of town..."
[10:17am] hrolf_mac left the chat room. (Client exited)
[10:17am] Crion|: We have very few advocates until we get home.
[10:18am] Crion|: Is the unstated end of that sentence.
[10:19am] banana: KJ Valentine, texting: <It's a pleasure to hear from you Baron Moreno Munoz 🙇‍♀️ The work you unveiled at Abby's party was quite striking, and who doesn't appreciate being kept up to date? 📅>
[10:23am] banana: <Hopefully Judex Rainey's information is just a delayed update, as it's true that I'm now looking out 😨 for Anaheim instead of assigned to assist Baron Murray. However, sudden changes are always a bit odd and I very much appreciate your update. Once I've returned from San Diego 🚆 I'll accept your invitation and I'm sure we can explore some of those stranger paths!>
[10:24am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson's just standing around.
[10:25am] Quaker: The Princess: “Test your strength while they answer their email?” She points to a nearby bell and hammer.
[10:25am] Crion|: For his benefit, then: "The office of Bill Burne just pulled every single heir listed on public record."
[10:26am] VoxPVoxD: Wilson: "Seriously?"
[10:27am] Crion|: Cav: "Yep. Buchanon noticed it while doing some remote work."
[10:27am] VoxPVoxD: "Jesus."
[10:27am] banana: KJ: "Strange, isn't it? The timing."
[10:27am] Crion|: Cav isn't sure what that MEANS yet, but it can't mean anything good.
[10:27am] banana: "I mean not 'strange' so much as 'terrifying' but you know."
[10:31am] banana: "Burne isn't a guy who does anything of his own initiative."
[10:31am] Crion|: Cav: "Certainly not records requests."
[10:32am] Crion|: "And I'm sure there was a point to doing it publicly, too."
[10:33am] banana: KJ: "You're out of town. The Prince is out of town. Who else.. you know what? We can't get distracted by this yet."
[10:34am] banana: "We're going to have to let the chips fall in L.A. There's a chance everything is connected, but even otherwise, we won't succeed here if we don't focus."
[10:34am] Crion|: She's right.
[10:35am] hrolf_mac joined the chat room.
[10:41am] Quaker: Eva clears her throat. “Shall I call the driver? I think you three have had a long enough night. We can go over the plans in detail tomorrow evening. The night after next, we’ll set out for Miramar.”
[10:41am] Crion|: Sounds good to Cav. Where are they staying again?
[10:42am] Quaker: Back in La Jolla, at the Princess’s estate.
[10:45am] Quaker: The limousine takes them away from the beach and the carnival, back up into the hills and the grand estate. The rest of the night, the barons are left to their own devices in palatial guest houses.
[10:49am] Quaker: Two nights later, the three Barons are told to dress in armor and report to the palace’s driveway. The drive to Miramar takes about an hour and a half, far past the lights of downtown, far into the endless hill and canyons of San Diego County. There are fewer trees than the wilds of back home down here…until they reach a small, wealthy community near a lake.
[10:50am] Quaker: The lake is fringed with willows, elms, and cypresses, obscuring dozens of grand manors and modern palaces. At the far end, something incredible stands illuminated.
[10:51am] hrolf_mac left the chat room. (Client exited)
[10:54am] Quaker: Rising from the edge of the waters is a huge castle-manor, its turrets and towers bristling with miniature battlements, constructed out of gleaming white marble. Searchlights illuminate its surface, and from the other side of the lake they can see swarms of people milling about in its great courtyard. From its highest tower, they can hear bells chime to mark midnight.
[10:56am] Quaker: The Princess La Jolla descends from a truck, armored in a deep scarlet plate. Eva’s is a pale yellow. Behind them are two dozen retainers all in plate, all in shades of red, weapons all sheathed. “Shall we?”
[10:56am] Crion|: Jesus.
[10:58am] Quaker: A fleet of rowboats takes you all across the water, the retainers doing the pulling, undead physiques keeping their manicured appearances perfectly still. The great house looms higher as you approach, and the sound of conversation and music gets louder. You can see a sea of armor on the other side.
[10:59am] Quaker: As the boats make their way past a short jetty and pull up next to a launch and staircase, a trumpeter sounds a high note from a balcony.
[11:00am] Quaker: You hear someone cry out above the noise: “Arriving, Elena Ignacia Figueroa de Solano y Medina, Princess La Jolla! Her retinue!”
[11:02am] Quaker: “Her guests, Baron Clinton Cavanaugh! Baron K.J. Valentine! Baron Wilson Frost! From the Brilliant Court, representing His Highness Whitaker Kingsland Bailey, Prince of Los Angeles! Welcome all! Miramar Castle and its master, the Grand Prince Iago Morales, Master of San Diego and all its territories, welcome you!”
[11:02am] Quaker: Three hundred pairs of eyes turn to look at you.
[11:03am] Quaker: NEXT WEEK: Party Hard